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Cantara vs SongBeamer

Cantara logo
Cantara

Lightweight open-source song presentation tool for churches and small groups.

  • Open Source
  • Free
SongBeamer

German worship presentation software for songs, Bible texts and media, sold as a one-time licence.

  • One-time
  • Free Trial

Summary

  • Cantara is free, while SongBeamer is paid (€124 one-time (single computer)).
  • Cantara is open source (GPL-3.0); SongBeamer is proprietary.
  • Both run on Windows and macOS.
  • Both support: Songs & lyrics: Song library · Multilingual: Interface in multiple languages · Multilingual: Bilingual lyrics on screen · Screens & outputs: Multiple audience screens · Connectivity & collaboration: Works fully offline.

Only in Cantara

  • Runs on Linux

Only in SongBeamer

  • Songs & lyrics: Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) (partial in Cantara)
  • Media: Images (partial in Cantara)

Based on confirmed data only. Unknown values are not counted.

Side by side

  • Supported Supported
  • Partial Partial
  • Paid add-on or tier Paid add-on / tier
  • Not supported Not supported
  • Unknown Unknown
  • * Hover or tap for note
Product Cantara logo Cantara SongBeamer
Overview
Price Free€124 one-time (single computer)Free trial
Open source Yes (GPL-3.0)No
Deployment Desktop appDesktop app
Status activeactive
Platforms
Windows Supported Supported
macOS Supported Supported
Linux Supported Not supported
Web browser Not supported Not supported
iOS / iPadOS Not supported Not supported
Android Not supported Not supported
ChromeOS Not supported Not supported
Content
Songs & lyrics Supported Supported
Song library Supported: Songs are kept as files in a song repository folder, in Cantara's own .song format or CCLI SongSelect text format. Supported
Import from other presentation software Unknown Supported: Separate importers for PowerPraise, PraiseMaster and PraiseBox songs, plus lyrics import from PowerPoint and CSV.
Paste or import plain-text lyrics Supported: Plain .txt lyric files are recognised as songs. Unknown
Automatic lyrics import (e.g. SongSelect, online sources) Partial: Can read song files in the CCLI SongSelect lyrics file format; there is no direct SongSelect account integration. Supported: Songs (with chords) can be imported directly from CCLI SongSelect while the licence is entitled to updates.
Chord charts for musicians Unknown Supported: Songs can be projected and printed with chords, with transposition.
Motion backgrounds behind lyrics Unknown Supported: Images and videos can be used as song backgrounds.
CCLI usage reporting Unknown Supported: Optional automatic reporting to CCLI, added in version 6.0, available while entitled to updates; VG Musikedition reports can be exported too.
Bible Unknown Supported
Free translations included Unknown Supported: Elberfelder 1905 is included, and free translations can be imported from Zefania XML.
Licensed translations (NIV, ESV, etc.) Unknown Paid add-on or tier: Modern German translations such as Luther 2017, Schlachter 2000 and BasisBibel are sold separately (€19-39 each).
Slides & presentations Unknown Supported
PowerPoint Unknown Supported: PowerPoint and LibreOffice files can be added to the schedule; requires PowerPoint, the PowerPoint Viewer or LibreOffice.
Keynote Unknown Unknown
Google Slides Unknown Unknown
Canva Unknown Unknown
PDF Unknown Supported
Plays slide animations & transitions Unknown Unknown
Media Partial Supported
Video playback Unknown Supported
Audio playback Unknown Supported
Images Partial: Images are used only as presentation backgrounds (with per-song overrides since 2.7); there is no separate media playback. Supported
YouTube / online video Unknown Supported: YouTube videos can be shown, including URLs with a start time.
Inputs & other sources Unknown Supported
Live camera / capture card Unknown Supported: Live video from a camera or capture device can be shown behind text.
Screen sharing Unknown Unknown
Web pages Unknown Supported: Web pages can be added to the schedule and displayed.
Countdown timers & clocks Unknown Supported: Countdowns and stopwatches, also shown on the stage view.
On-screen messages & alerts Unknown Supported: Spontaneous messages to the congregation can be shown over the presentation.
Audience interaction (polls, Q&A, Slido, follow along) Unknown Unknown
Languages
Multilingual Supported Supported
Interface in multiple languages Supported: The interface has been translated into a few languages by the community. Supported: Interface in German and English.
Songs in other languages Unknown Supported
Bibles in other languages Unknown Supported
Bilingual lyrics on screen Supported: Songs can be presented and exported in two languages at the same time. Supported: Songs can hold up to 4 languages, shown together on screen.
Bible translations side by side Unknown Supported: Up to two Bible translations can be shown at once.
Non-Latin & right-to-left scripts Unknown Partial: Unicode text such as Cyrillic is supported; the changelog notes right-to-left output (e.g. Arabic) is not yet fully correct.
Integrations
Software integrations Unknown Unknown
Planning Center Unknown Unknown
ChurchSuite Unknown Unknown
WorshipTools Planning Unknown Unknown
Hardware control Unknown Supported
MIDI Unknown Supported: Control via MIDI and OSC.
DMX lighting Unknown Unknown
Stream Deck / Companion Unknown Unknown
Automation & extensibility Unknown Supported
Network API (HTTP / WebSocket) Unknown Partial: Remote control over the network via OSC; no HTTP or WebSocket API is documented.
Plugins / extensions Unknown Unknown
Built-in scripting / macros Unknown Supported: SongBeamer Script macros can be run from menus or added to the schedule.
Webhooks / triggers to other systems Unknown Unknown
MCP server for AI assistants Unknown Unknown
AI features (e.g. verse detection, lyric formatting) Unknown Unknown
Presenting & control
Screens & outputs Supported Supported
Multiple audience screens Supported: Multi-screen presentation is supported out of the box. Supported: A presentation can also be shown on a third monitor (beta).
Stage display / confidence monitor Unknown Supported
Lower thirds / alpha key for streaming Unknown Supported: NDI output has its own formatting and an optional background colour for keying.
Output as a web page (TVs, OBS / vMix browser source) Unknown Unknown
Broadcast video Unknown Supported
NDI Unknown Supported: Text output to OBS Studio and other software via NDI or a text file.
SDI Unknown Unknown
Built-in streaming & recording Unknown Unknown
Stream to any RTMP destination Unknown Unknown
YouTube Live Unknown Unknown
Facebook Live Unknown Unknown
Record the output to a file Unknown Unknown
TV output Unknown Unknown
Apple TV app Unknown Unknown
Android / Google TV app Unknown Unknown
Fire TV app Unknown Unknown
Roku app Unknown Unknown
Chromecast / AirPlay Unknown Unknown
Connectivity & collaboration Supported Supported
Cloud sync of library Unknown Unknown
Works fully offline Supported Supported
Remote control from phone or tablet Unknown Supported: SongBeamer Remote app for iPhone and iPad.
Multiple operators at once Unknown Unknown
Web native (runs in a browser) Unknown Not supported

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